Pancreatic Cell News Volume 7.15 | Apr 19 2016

Asprosin, a Fasting-Induced Glucogenic Protein Hormone
Scientists have identified a fasting-induced protein hormone that modulates hepatic glucose release. It is the C-terminal cleavage product of profibrillin, and they name it Asprosin. [Cell]
Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

PANCREATIC CANCER

Genotype Tunes Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Tissue Tension to Induce Matricellular Fibrosis and Tumor Progression
The authors found that human pancreatic ductal carcinoma with impaired epithelial transforming growth factor-β signaling have high epithelial STAT3 activity and develop stiff, matricellular-enriched fibrosis associated with high epithelial tension and shorter patient survival. [Nat Med] Abstract | Press Release

Macrophage-Secreted Granulin Supports Pancreatic Cancer Metastasis by Inducing Liver Fibrosis
Investigators found that pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma liver metastasis critically depends on the early recruitment of granulin-secreting inflammatory monocytes to the liver. [Nat Cell Biol] Abstract | Press Release

Downregulated miR-506 Expression Facilitates Pancreatic Cancer Progression and Chemoresistance via SPHK1/Akt/NF-κB Signaling
Scientists discovered a novel epigenetic mechanism of miR-506 regulation and investigated its functional significance in pancreatic cancer. [Oncogene] Full Article

HIC1 Attenuates Invasion and Metastasis by Inhibiting the IL-6/STAT3 Signaling Pathway in Human Pancreatic Cancer
Investigators aimed to clarify the clinical relevance of hypermethylated in cancer 1 (HIC1) and human pancreatic cancer and the mechanism of its effect on invasion and metastasis. HIC1 was downregulated in pancreatic cancer patient cancer tissue and pancreatic cancer cell lines. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

Evaluation of Expansile Nanoparticle Tumor Localization and Efficacy in a Cancer Stem Cell-Derived Model of Pancreatic Peritoneal Carcinomatosis
Scientists evaluated the tumor localization and efficacy pH-responsive expansile nanoparticles as a drug delivery system for pancreatic peritoneal carcinomatosis modeled in nude rats. [Nanomedicine (Lond)] Abstract

Metabolomics Reveals Mycoplasma Contamination Interferes with the Metabolism of PANC-1 Cells
Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry-based metabolomics was used to investigate the effect of mycoplasma contamination on the cellular metabolism of human pancreatic carcinoma cells (PANC-1). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that mycoplasma contamination induced significant metabolic changes in PANC-1 cells. [Anal Bioanal Chem] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Suppression of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Growth by Intratumoral Delivery of Attenuated Salmonella typhimurium Using a Dual Fluorescent Live Tracking System
Investigators established CFPAC-1 cell lines expressing an mKate2 protein and thus emitting far-red fluorescence in the subsequent xenograft implant. VNP20009 strain was further engineered to carry a luciferase cDNA, which catalyzes the light-emitting reaction to allow the observation of Salmonella distribution and accumulation within tumor with live imaging. Using such VNP20009 strain and intratumoral delivery, the authors could reduce the growth of pancreatic cancer by inducing apoptosis and severe necrosis in a dosage dependent manner. [Cancer Biol Ther] Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus and Its Complications in India
The reviewers discuss the epidemiology of diabetes mellitus and its complications in India and outline the advances made in the country to ensure adequate care. They make specific references to novel, cost-effective interventions, which might be of relevance to other low-income and middle-income countries of the world. [Nat Rev Endocrinol] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the pancreatic cell research field.

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Interpace Diagnostics Announces New Coding by Novitas Solutions for PancraGen™
Interpace Diagnostics Group announced that its Medicare Administrative Carrier, Novitas Solutions, has assigned a new molecular current procedural terminology code, 81479 to its PancraGen™ test for pancreatic cysts. [Interpace Diagnostics Group] Press Release

Halozyme Expands Oncology Pipeline with Two Compounds Designed For Activity in the Tumor Microenvironment
Halozyme Therapeutics announced preclinical data for the discovery and early development of two potential drug candidates, an immune checkpoint inhibitor targeting adenosine and a novel antibody-drug conjugate targeting epidermal growth factor receptor. [Halozyme Therapeutics] Press Release

Propanc Files Two More Patents Citing New Compositions of Proenzymes for Cancer Treatment
Propanc Health Group Corporation announced the filing of two more patent applications in the United States regarding new compositions of its lead product, PRP, for treating cancer. [Propanc Health Group Corporation] Press Release

Transition Therapeutics Provides Update on Type 2 Diabetes Drug Candidate TT401
Transition Therapeutics Inc. announced that it has received notification that Eli Lilly and Co. will not elect to advance diabetes drug candidate, TT401 into Phase III development. [Transition Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

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Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the pancreatic cell community.

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Abnormal Growth, Childhood Obesity and Diabetes (University of Bergen)

Lecturer – Tumor Microenvironment and Pancreatic Cancer (Queen Mary, University of London)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Diabetes and Metabolic Disorder (Pere Virgili Health Research Institute)

Group Leader – Stem Cell Biology, Pancreatic Cancer and Bioengineering (University of Copenhagen)

PhD Studentship – Regulation of Metabolism (University of Wuerzburg)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Diabetes Induced Neural Tube Defects (UMB School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pancrease Preconditioning (Centre Européen d’Etude du Diabète)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pancreatic Zinc Transporter as Therapeutic Target (Johns Hopkins School of Medicine)

Research Scientist – Various Fields (King Abdullah International Medical Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Pancreatic Cancer (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Master Studentship – Exercise and Diabetes (Swansea University)

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship – Surgical Oncology in Pancreatic Cancer (University of Nebraska Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Metabolism and Cancer (Monash University)

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